What is the Book of Mormon?
Q: What is the Book of Mormon?
A: The Book of Mormon is a book that Latter Day Saints believe is the word of God along with the Bible. It was originally written in a language made from "the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians" and was translated into English by Joseph Smith Jr., who said he was a prophet like those in the Old Testament.
Q: Who wrote it?
A: The original English version of the Book of Mormon was published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr. He said he translated it from gold plates given to him by an angel.
Q: What does it tell us?
A: The story told in the Book of Mormon is a shortened version written by a man named Mormon about two groups called Nephites and Lamanites, whose ancestors left Jerusalem about 600 years before Christ's birth, sailed across an ocean, and came to live in the New World. It gives details about their families, cities, wars, systems of government, spiritual experiences and religious beliefs among other things. The main purpose is to teach about Jesus Christ and also contains another old book (the Book of Ether) which tells a story about another people (called Jaredites) who lived shortly after Babel but died out due to wars.
Q: How are Nephites and Lamanites portrayed?
A: Usually, Nephites are shown as more righteous, industrious and peaceful while Lamanites are depicted as wicked, lazy and warlike; however near the end of the book Nephites become more wicked than Lamanites so all die except for one named Moroni who buried it so Joseph Smith could find it later on.
Q: What is central theme around which this book revolves?
A: The central theme revolves around Jesus Christ visiting these people described in this book performing miracles for them showing them how to live rightly according to God's will.
